Heavier than air balloons with optical fiber decorative light arrays

ABSTRACT

Heavier than air balloons with optical fiber decorative light arrays, which include a balloon attached to a hollow tube, or stick, which has one or more lengths of optical fibers inside or outside, with the balloon having an optional skirt, the optical fibers are adjacent to or integral with the skirt, which optical fibers each have a protective jacket or cladding to prevent light from escaping therefrom, with portions of the jacket or cladding removed at selected locations along their lengths to permit light patterns to be emitted therefrom, to form a decorative array, upon shining of a light into their ends.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to heavier than air balloons, which have optical fiber arrays incorporated into or adjacent the balloons, with the balloons attached to a tube or stick, with a plurality of lengths of optical fibers in or adjacent to the balloon, with portions of the fiber jackets or cladding removed at selected locations to allow light to escape and provide a decorative light array.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Optical fibers are well known and used for transmitting light from a light source to the desired illumination point.

It is known to provide sidelight-emitting fibers, with the fibers being partially translucent along their lengths. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,638 pertains to lighter than air balloons, which are decorated with illuminated optical fibers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,760 discloses an optical fiber illuminated balloon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,135 shows an illuminated balloon. In our prior patent application Ser. No. 11/975,303, filed Oct. 18, 2007, optical fibers are disclosed which are carried in a tether and extend to a lighter than air balloon.

None of the prior art discloses heavier than air balloons, which are connected to a hollow tube, or stick, with one or more optical fibers in or around them, which fibers extend up to the balloon and are incorporated into a skirt, and/or are arranged in a descending pattern on or from the balloon. The optical fibers have portions of their fiber jacket or cladding removed providing light patterns which form a decorative array. The optical fibers are connected to a light source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to heavier than air balloons, which are connected to a hollow tube, or stick carrying lengths of optical fibers, which have had portions of their jackets, or cladding removed and are incorporated into a skirt, and/or descend in a pattern to provide light patterns which form a decorative array.

The principal object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons, which include a hollow supporting tube with one or more lengths of optical fibers, which are incorporated in a skirt, and/or descend over or from the balloons, which fibers have portions of their jackets or cladding removed at selected locations along their lengths to provide a decorative array of light patterns around or below the balloon.

A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with optical fibers which can provide a large variety of light patterns.

A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with an optical fiber array which can be used for a variety of illuminating and decorating purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with an optical fiber array, which are easy to manufacture, and suitable for mass production.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, in partial section, of one embodiment of a heavier than air balloon with an optical fiber array of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the heavier than air balloon of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the heavier than air balloon of the invention with the fiber optic array incorporated into a skirt, which is below the balloon;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, in partial section, with the fiber optic array outside the skirt;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, in partial section, of another embodiment of the invention; and.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view in partial section of another embodiment of the invention.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and FIG. 1 thereof, a heavier than air balloon 10 is therein illustrated, of well-known type. The balloon 10 can be constructed of mylar or other material, and can be opaque or translucent, and is preferably filled with air, or nitrogen or any suitable heavier than air gas of well known type. The balloon as illustrated is a Figurene available from any number of sources.

The balloon 10 is supported by a bracket 11 connected to a hollow tube 12, which can be of symthetic plastic or metal as desired. The tube 11 has a cone 14 therearound, which grips the tube 11.

A plurality of optical fiber lengths 15 of well known type are provided, which are available from a wide variety of sources. The optical fiber lengths 15 have an outer protective jacket or cladding 16, along their lengths to prevent light from being transmitted to other than the end of the fiber length, and as illustrated extend out and down from the balloon.

The jacket or cladding 16 allows only minimal escape of the light transmitted therein.

Portions of the jacket or cladding 16 are removed at selected locations 17 along the lengths 15 to permit light to be emitted therefrom. The locations 16 can be configured to provide a variety of patterns 18, such as stars, circles, squares or any other desired pattern (not shown). The fiber lengths 15 may be carried in the hollow tube 12 and connected to a light source (not shown), which shines light into the ends of the fiber lengths 15, with the light patterns 18 emanating therefrom providing a decorative array, below balloon 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2 another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon 30, which is similar to balloon 10.

The balloon 30 has a skirt 31 connected thereto, which skirt is of the flowing swing type. The balloon 30 is connected to a hollow tube 32 inside skirt 31, which tube is connected to a base 33.

The base 33 contains a light source (not shown) and an on-off switch 34. The base 33 has a plurality of optical fiber lengths 35 therein, of well known type, connected to the light source (not shown) which extend upwardly in the tube 32, out and then extend upwardly and outwardly over the exterior of skirt 31 and then downwardly. The fiber lengths 35 have outer light protective jackets or cladding 36 along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations 37 to provide patterns 38 as desired, to form a decorative array.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon 40, similar to balloon 10.

The balloon 40 has a skirt 41 connected thereto. The balloon 40 is connected to a hollow tube 42, inside skirt 41, which tube is connected to a base 43, that contains a light source (not shown) and an on-off switch 44. The base 43 has a plurality of optical fiber lengths 45 therein, of well known type therein, connected to the light source (not shown), which extend upwardly in the tube 42, out and then extend downwardly being incorporated into and being an integral part of the exterior 46 of skirt 41. The fiber lengths 45 have outer light protective jackets or cladding 47 along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations 48 to provide patterns 49 as desired to form a decorative array.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 4 another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon 50, similar to balloon 10. The balloon 50 has a skirt 51 connected thereto of similar configuration as skirt 41.

The balloon 50 is connected to a hollow tube 52 inside skirt 51, which tube 52 is connected to a base 53. The base 53 has a light source 54, and an on-off switch 55. The base 53 has a plurality of optical fiber lengths 56 therein, of well known type, connected to the light source 54. The fiber lengths 56 extend upwardly in the tube 52, out, and then extend upwardly and downwardly over the exterior 57 of skirt 51. The fiber lengths 56 have outer light protective jackets or cladding 59 along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations 60 to provide patterns 61 as desired to form a decorative array.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 5 another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon 70. The balloon 70 is connected to a hollow tube 71, which is connected to a base 72. The base 72 contains a light source 73, and an on-off switch 74. The base 72 has a plurality of optical fiber lengths 75 therein of well known type connected to the light source 73, which extend upwardly in the tube 32, out, and then outwardly and downwardly. The fiber lengths 75 have outer light protective jackets or cladding 76, along their lengths with portions removed at selected locations 77 to provide patterns 78 as desired, to form a decorative array. The base 72 can be fitted with a stake (not shown) which can be driven into the ground as required.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated, which includes a heavier than air balloon 80, similar to balloon 10. The balloon 80 is connected to a hollow tube 81, which is connected to a base 82. The base 82 contains a light source 83, and an on-off switch (not shown). The base 82 has a plurality of optical fiber lengths 85 therein, of well known type, connected to the light source 83, which extend upwardly in the tube 81, out, and then upwardly and downwardly over balloon 80. The fiber lengths 85 have outer light protective jackets or cladding 86, along their lengths with portions removed at selected locations 87, to provide patterns 88 as desired, to form a decorative array.

While the tube supporting the balloons described above are hollow, if desired a solid stick or rod (not shown) can be substituted therefor with the fiber lengths extending outside the solid rod or stick. It will thus be seen that heavier than air balloons with optical fiber decorative light arrays have been provided, with which the objects of the invention are achieved. 

1. A heavier than air balloon which is filled with air, or nitrogen or other heavier than air gas with optical fiber arrays comprising, a hollow tube attached to said balloon, said hollow tube containing one or more lengths of optical fibers therein, each of said fibers having an outer protective jacket or cladding therealong, to prevent light from escaping therefrom, portions of said fiber jacket or cladding being removed at selected locations along their lengths to permit light to be emitted therefrom, and adjacent to said balloon forming patterns to form a decorative array, and a light source to provide light to said fibers.
 2. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 1 in which, said locations provide selected light patterns.
 3. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 1 in which, said balloon has a skirt extending therefrom, and said optical fiber lengths extend over said skirt.
 4. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 3 in which, said optical fibers are integral with and extend downwardly with said skirt.
 5. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 1 in which, said hollow tube is connected to a base and said light source is in said base.
 6. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 1 in which, said base is provided with a stake which can be stuck into the ground
 7. A heavier than air balloon as defined in claim 1 in which, said optical fibers extend upwardly and then downwardly over said balloon. 